Staff Report
A large crowd of friends, neighbors, and supporters packed the function room at the Hilton Garden Inn to join Rep. Adrian Madaro at his campaign re-election fundraiser. Mayor Michelle Wu, Speaker of the House Ron Mariano, House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Sen. Lydia Edwards, City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, State Rep. Jeff Turco of Winthrop, and State Rep. Jessica Giannino, former Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and former state senator Joseph Boncore attended the reception, showing the breadth of support and stature that Rep. Madaro has achieved on Beacon Hill in his nine years representing the East Boston neighborhood.
A graduate of prestigious Tufts University (where he met his future wife, Ariel Glantz) and Suffolk University Law School, Madaro greeted each guest congenially at the door to the hall. It was clear, too, that his popularity and the appreciation of his record in office extends beyond the East Boston neighborhood.
Michlewitz told the large gathering, “I’ve been very proud of watching Adrian over the last nine years grow into this role as state representative, as chairman of [the mental health, substance use, and recovery committee], taking on difficult issues. Speaker Mariano and all the colleagues in the House know that Adrian is someone that we can rely on and know that he can get the job done. Adrian is East Boston. He represents East Boston so well when it comes to challenges that we face on transportation discussions and environment conversations. Adrian wears East Boston on his sleeve. I am very happy to be here tonight to support Adrian Madaro, our state representative.”
Liana LaMattina, chairwoman of Rep. Madaro’s campaign, aptly summarized the positive impact that Madaro has had on the East Boston community, from his days growing up here in a well-known and highly respected East Boston family to his current status as the neighborhood’s representative in the esteemed 160-member House, whose enormous history dates back to 1634. “East Boston is a better community in part due to Adrian’s unwavering commitment and dedication to East Boston – I am so proud to call you my friend,” said LaMattina in her beautifully delivered introductory remarks. Rep. Madaro, standing tall (he’s 6 feet 3 inches) at the podium and joined by his eldest son, Matteo Madaro, began his remarks by wishing “my Jewish friends and family, Shana Tova, Happy New Year.” “I want to thank my colleagues, friends, family, neighbors, supporters and community leaders for joining me this evening,” continued Madaro.
“Every year when we host this event, it fills me with so much joy seeing friends and supporters from all stages of my life. This April will be ten years since I was first elected [to the House of Representatives.” Madaro said he “loves every minute” of his job as Eastie’s state representative. Madaro, praised the team in his legislative office, stating he was “immensely grateful for their work.”
“I’m lucky to have an exceptional team that fights hard for this community every single day.” Madaro said he would continue to work hard for East Boston residents. “I was raised in a family of activists and a community of activists, and it’s the community that inspires me to do the work that I do. East Boston has a long and storied history of people from all corners of the globe coming together to stand up for our neighborhood and to help each other. I’ve learned from these community leaders, and I will continue to ensure that their voices, your voices, guide decision making at every level. It has been a privilege to serve as your state representative, as your partner in government. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and the work we have ahead.” Madaro is unopposed in the Nov. 5 election.